A new outdoor skating rink in Portsmouth should open for business next winter. An area of Strawberry Banke will be converted into a rink that opens with the Candlelight Stroll in December and operates through February.

Organizers say the rink will offer a place for skating lessons and hockey games. They say compressors will ensure the ice stays in good shape, even when winter temperatures warm up to 50 or 60 degrees. They plan to keep the rink open to the public seven days a week.